I just realized this week marks my 3 year anniversary of being gluten-free but, more importantly, 3 years of being completely off drugs for ADHD. I can’t believe it has been that long but I have never felt better!

There are still days where it’s rough—mainly at holidays and parties—but the pain and discomfort I feel when I consume gluten is not worth the consequence of being sick. Not to mention the damage that can be done to my gut, esophagus and/or brain if I were to indulge. There were some who said I wouldn’t last on this “diet” for very long, and still some who don’t believe in food intolerances. All I can say is when it’s a matter of HEALTH, you figure out what’s wrong, CHANGE your lifestyle, and willingly stick to it. This isn’t just a fun fad diet that guarantees weight loss, like the media and celebrities ignorantly lead people to believe. In fact, a lot of the times it sucks not eating that piece of chocolate cake you’re raving about, or that amazing doughy bread you pinned on Pinterest, but the benefits of my health far outweigh the temptation.

How many yo-yo dieters successfully apply that logic day after day after day?

Celiac, gluten-intolerance, and really food allergies in general, are REAL. Plus as an added bonus we get to outsmart the pharmaceutical company with using food versus meds!

How long have you been following a food restricted diet? Do you feel you have to defend your sickness and/or reason for following it?